SUMMER 2022 ISSUE 2 BUY PDF INDEX Summer, Issue 2, Camping the Kiwi Way Previous Next Miriam Richardson (Editor) Buy a copy, subscribe for a year's worth of copies, read it on paper, read it here or read the pdf. The choice is yours. Only $12 a copy delivered, $36 for 4 issues. BUY We bring you travel stories, tips, wonderful places to visit, insight into political changes, some solid information, a crossword: light reading, serious reading and some fun browsing. Enjoy Previous This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. Next left-turn-ruapehu_w_th left-turn-train left-turn-pedestrian_w Left-turn-Maungatautari-view_w Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps Kath Irvine Last year in December, we sold up and hit the road in our Hino housetruck — a sharp learning curve and lots of broken crockery! but we’re loving it. The only thing I miss is the fresh herbs and vegies from my garden and the ease of recycling our food scraps. I’ve been turning our food scraps into compost for many a year now, and there’s no way I’m sending them to the landfill now. We chose to use bokashi buckets in our housetruck, as we already had them. A worm farm could also work, though bokashi is possibly more forgiving and takes all food waste — bones and shells included. Recycling, rubbish and bokashi buckets tucked up with the batteries. ©2023 Kath Irvine Bokashi buckets, are a 2 bucket system — one sitting inside the other. The food scraps go into the top bucket and are sprinkled with a special brew called compost zing. This looks like sawdust and is full of beneficial microbes that facilitate fermentation. The liquid drips into the bottom bucket, providing a power juice, full of microbes to pour on your crops. You need at least 2 sets because when one is full, it needs to sit and ferment for 10–14 days before using. Bokashi buckets are readily available to buy, but you can easily make them. All you need is 2 buckets the same size. Drill small holes all over the bottom of one bucket and sit it inside the other. The key factor is a sealed lid for the top bucket. The seal is important because like all fermentation, success relies on the exclusion of air. Put the buckets somewhere undercover, not too cold and out of direct sunlight (a little morning or afternoon sun is fine). There is no smell when the lid is on. And when you lift the lid, it smells like pickles. Rather than opening the bokashi every time you have food scraps, collect them in a small container and add them at the end of day. Start off by sprinkling a dusting of compost zing in the bottom of the top bucket and add your first lot of food scraps. Push them down firmly to exclude air (a potato masher is good for the squeamish), then sprinkle another dusting of compost zing on top. The zing gets the pickling happening and is the reason bokashi never smells. Close the lid so it clicks and seals. When a bucket is full to the brim, I move the new one in front and leave the other tucked behind to pickle away. Because bokashi is pre-fermented and alive with beneficial microbes, it incorporates into soil or compost quickly — such a simple, potent way to keep soil fertility up! Trenching bokashi into the garden. Edible Backyard. ©2023 Kath Irvine But what happens when you don’t have a garden? We are lucky, and most of the time, staying with switched on people who are excited to receive a bucket of bokashi into their garden. But its not always the case and extra hard in campgrounds where food scraps are still considered rubbish; I find it pretty shocking. Its an effort, I know, but once you get your set up happening, its easy as pie. We really must all be recycling our food scraps. “When food ends up in landfill, it decomposes without oxygen, and as a result, it releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. If food waste was a country, it would be the third largest producer of carbon emissions behind China and the United States.” lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz I used to take a bokashi bucket with us when we holidayed — it’s not such a big deal. The tricky part , when on the road, comes at the end, when its pickled and ready to go on the compost. Be creative and determined, and find places. And when you do — spread the word! The more of us that ask where we can compost our food waste, the more available it will become. Rankers have a sustainability filter to help you choose responsible camp sites — though whether this is meaningful or not, I’d have to do a bit more digging to know. A network to link travelling bokashi makers with domestic or commercial compost heaps would be a fine thing. Hop online and check with the local council. Perhaps there is a local composting facility or community garden you could drop off to. There are so many ways for camp grounds to properly manage food scraps! Pigs, chickens, worms, compost, there are even commercial-sized bokashi bins. If supermarkets in France can do it … Photos ©2023 Kath Irvine Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 9

2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Katikati coastal estuary cycle way Cycling on a stunning Spring day around the Katikati coastal estuary cycle way #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Folding bikes are a game changer in our van. An easy way to get around and always safely out of the weather, stored in our under-bed garage. A great transport addition to A Van Called Wanda. #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Katikati coastal estuary cycle way #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Katikati coastal estuary cycle way #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Past the orchards, Katikati The cycle way loops back to the town through the kiwifruit, avo and grape vines. #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove ​ Katikati coastal estuary cycle way Bette Cosgrove Cycling on a stunning Spring day around the Katikati coastal estuary cycle way which loops back to the town through the kiwifruit, avo and grape vines. Heard the steady clicking and cracking noises from swift strokes of industrious horticulture workers clipping away at their pruning tasks. Folding bikes are a game changer in our van. An easy way to get around and always safely out of the weather, stored in our under-bed garage. A great transport addition to A Van Called Wanda. Bette Cosgrove #vangranz Photos ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 32

SPRING 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF INDEX READ Thinking of Cycle touring? PREVIOUS PREVIOUS NEXT From my first trip as a teenager on a 10-speed, I’ve developed a love of independent cycle touring. Travelling under my own steam on back country routes, state highways and anything in between is therapeutic. I love it, be it a couple of days getting or a multi-week epic. Summer is a great time to give it a try. Build up in stages, getting used to full day rides, then try a short or overnight trip as a shakedown for yourself, your bike and your gear. Get a feel for how the loaded bike handles. Start with checklists of things you might pack for tours of different lengths. You need to think about clothes for riding — in all weathers — and when not riding, how you carry gear on the bike, and being self sufficient for sleeping, cooking, bike repairs and food. Every trip is different. Is it back-country or on roads? Will there be shops, cafés, campgrounds, or hostels on the way? Is there cell phone coverage? What’s the best and the worst weather you can expect? The more remote the area, the more you should be prepared for bad weather and emergencies — let someone know what you’re doing or consider having an emergency beacon. A great thing about a longer trip with camping gear is that you can adapt it as you go. If the weather is bad or your legs or bike aren’t working well, you can shorten days to suit. Know where you can camp and where commercial campgrounds are. Upgrade if you need a dry place and a shower. On a longer trip you might take a a rest day. Enjoy! BY: Stephen Wood 'I love it, be it a couple of days getting or a multi-week epic.' NEXT The Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 1 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mackenzie Country, winter 2024. Cows crossing the bridge, Ohau B Canal, Mackenzie Country, August. ©2024 M Richardson Roll on summer. Editorial Editor We have had a mild winter, not so good for skiers, but really good for campers, and we head through spring into summer looking at a good forecast ( ckw.nz/niwa-1024 ), with a just a bit of risk of some heavy rainfall events. Cows crossing the bridge, Ohau B Canal, Mackenzie Country, August. ©2024 M Richardson As we continue on our journey towards the new horizon our governments have given us for camping in a Kiwi way, we are buoyed by the ingenuity that is enabling vehicle campers to meet the new self-containment requirements, while tent campers are only now becoming aware how the new law is shrinking their choices. Councils now have to create bylaws if they are to allow non-self-contained camping within their region, and many do not seem to feel any obligation to cater to the needs of tent campers at all. Meanwhile, NZMCA, while rescuing some publicly-owned camping grounds from neglect, is failing to rise to the challenge of supporting all NZ campers, when managing a public facility (more next issue). All Points Camping has a great list of camps coming up (p36), and if you are new to camping, check the ‘soft start’ suggesrtions from their Stop and Stay list (p34). Share your camping stories with us: successes and challenges too— lets keep each other inspired as we explore and enjoy New Zealand. ◼️ Tiaki mai, tiaki atu Miriam Richardson, Editor Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 4

5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Testing officers and councils have a lot to work through over the next few months to manage and apply the multiple systems. Update: Self-containment and freedom camping changes Gary Stoneley, NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd he Government’s recent changes to Freedom Camping and self-containment certification are now being implemented. These changes mean that over the next 18 to 24 months new regulations may impact your freedom camping. However the changes only apply to free (not paid) camping, on council, LINZ land and some Department of Conservation land. The changes do not affect any overnight stays on private or commercial properties, other crown land, club sites or organised events nor anywhere payment is made. Where camping on council land is ● allowed / designated for ‘ALL’ campers, or ● specifically designated for ‘non self-contained vehicles’ or ● paid sites, car parks etc., the new legislation / regulations should not affect your camping. The existing self-containment standard (NZS 5465:2001) still applies and is recognised throughout NZ. Currently a campervan / motorhome etc. can be certified for self-containment whether it has a fixed / cassette or portable toilet. However, new certifications with a portable toilet are not now recognised under the amended Freedom Camping Act for free camping on land as specified earlier‡. Such certifications remain acceptable for all other camping areas. From 7 June 2024 new certifications, under the existing standard (NZS 5465:2001), will also not be recognised under the amended Freedom Camping Act. From 7 December this year, approved Certifying Authorities, once established, will be able to issue new certificates with green warrant cards for motor vehicles with fixed toilets. Such certificates attract a new government levy of $120 on top of any fees charged by the testing officer s and certifying authorities. You will be able to choose the type of self-containment certificate you want. Four levels of self-containment certification From 7 December 2023, under the Freedom Camping Act there will be 4 levels of self-containment certification (3 blue and 1 green) which can apply and which councils will need to monitor. It appears that there will also be 3 separate national registers of self-contained vehicles: the new Plumbers, GasfItters and Drainlayers Board register (green warrants) plus the NZ Lifestyle Camping and NZMCA registers for blue warrants. Certified Blue before 6/23, any toilet: OK to freedom camp on public land until 6 June 2025 Certified Blue: fixed toilet: OK to freedom camp on public land until 6 June 2025. Certified Blue: portable toilet: OK on private or commercial properties, crown land (not LINZ or council), club sites, organised events and anywhere payment is made. Certified Green: fixed toilet: OK to freedom camp on public land. It should be noted that while the current self-containment standard is prescriptive, e.g. minimum fresh water, waste water and toilet capacities per the number of occupants, the new regulations are not prescriptive with no stated minimums. It will take some time to get consistency in implementing the new regulations. You will appreciate the issuing authorities and testing officers and councils have a lot to work through over the next few months to manage and apply the multiple systems. We acknowledge the MBIE Responsible Camping Team for their three year endeavour ,and millions of dollars spent ,to make things so much simpler for local authorities and the wider industry. Links • Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: ckw.nz/pgdb-info • MBIE — Responsible Camping Changes: ckw.nz/mbie-info • Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers (Self-Contained - Vehicles) Regulations 2023 Download a pdf of this (398kb): ckw.nz/sc-regs-pdf • Who does what: self containment and freedom camping p3 Government has worded the legislation to allow tent camping while enacting infringement fees for vehicle-based camping , on the same free-camping reserves (with or without self-containment and portable toilets). It seems unlikely that councils will adopt a policy that separates family camping groups and expressly targets certain campers. Note: All NZS 5465:2001 NZ Standard self-containments remain valid for 4 years from the date of issue, but they are subject to freedom camping restrictions on council-managed land. ‡ Land affected by the new law: free camping on council, LINZ land and some Department of Conservation land. FAQ ? Can I still get a self-containment certificate for my vehicle with a portable toilet? Yes , talk to your local testing officer. The new certificate with a portable toilet will not be recognised under the Freedom Camping Act which means there are limitations on free, public camping. ? Do I have to get issued with a new green warrant card (with $120 levy) after 7 December 2023 if I have a blue card and a fixed toilet? No , a new blue self-containment warrant card is valid for 4 years. It will be recognised until 6 June 2025 for free public camping under the Freedom Camping Act. Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 18

SUMMER 2022 ISSUE 2 BUY PDF INDEX Summer, Issue 2, Camping the Kiwi Way Previous Next Miriam Richardson (Editor) Buy a copy, subscribe for a year's worth of copies, read it on paper, read it here or read the pdf. The choice is yours. Only $12 a copy delivered, $36 for 4 issues. BUY We bring you travel stories, tips, wonderful places to visit, insight into political changes, some solid information, a crossword: light reading, serious reading and some fun browsing. Enjoy Previous This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. Next left-turn-ruapehu_w_th left-turn-train left-turn-pedestrian_w Left-turn-Maungatautari-view_w Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption autumn-fantail-H.webp ​ Fantail Martin Butler Martin got the winning photo of the birds last weekend. Fantail. ©2024 Martin Butler Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 9

9 Spring 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ©2024 Heather Auckram ©2024 Heather Auckram ©2024 Heather Auckram ©2024 Heather Auckram I filled the fridge, tossed in some clothes, a hot water bottle, the dog and hit the road A night in an arboretum Heather Auckram After weeks of frost, followed by icy winds and rain, the sun finally shone. I filled the fridge, tossed in some clothes, a hot water bottle and the dog and hit the road. First stop was the Alex McKenzie Park & Arboretum just 2km south of the farm-servicing town of Otautau in western Southland. The grassy area still had a film of water shining on it, so I parked on the gravel for our sleepover. Loki dog and I walked the 20 minute loop through the orchard and trees, listening to the birds and the rustle of the leaves, which was the calm we needed. The Arboretum has two clean toilets and dogs are welcome as long as they are controlled as it is a popular place for walkers and picnickers. During the drier months tents of all sizes and colour can be seen pitched in the shade of the trees. The night was dark, so we went to bed early and listened to the morepork, night birds, opossum and occasional passing truck on the nearby road while we rested. The Arboretum is cared for by volunteers and they appreciate a small donation dropped in the yellow box. ◼️ Images ©2024 Heather Auckram Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 15

SUMMER 2022 ISSUE 2 BUY PDF INDEX Summer, Issue 2, Camping the Kiwi Way Previous Next Miriam Richardson (Editor) Buy a copy, subscribe for a year's worth of copies, read it on paper, read it here or read the pdf. The choice is yours. Only $12 a copy delivered, $36 for 4 issues. BUY We bring you travel stories, tips, wonderful places to visit, insight into political changes, some solid information, a crossword: light reading, serious reading and some fun browsing. Enjoy Previous This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. Next left-turn-ruapehu_w_th left-turn-train left-turn-pedestrian_w Left-turn-Maungatautari-view_w Ad ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) ISSUE 2 editor@campingthekiwiway.org

4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Winter’s not going to stop Mavis Cheine Matheson Winter’s not going to stop poptop Mavis enjoying one of the many spots available at Pahoia Beach Park! Bay of Plenty. ©2023 Cheine Matheson Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 4

6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mt Cook_MNR_5721_mw.webp ​ The freedom camping law needs to change Miriam Richardson Return to the use of the NZ standard on self-containment for now. Initiate a revision process to bring it up to modern requirements, with all the checks and balances required for the proper making of standards. If freedom camping requires more than the general standards, make it an extra certification for just those things that are different. There are so many technical errors in the current regulations, trying to fix them all is virtually impossible on a clause by clause revision. Remove the need for two parallel systems of self-containment assessment. The new system only applies to freedom camping, and is needlessly restrictive, so a parallel system has to be maintained to cater for other places and uses. Remove the requirement for fixed toilets. It is the using of toilets that protects the environment, not their ‘fixedness’. Tent campers, campers with small vehicles, poptops, roof top and other kinds of campers often carry a portable toilet and a toilet tent when camping in places that do not provide toilets: this works; and works perfectly. Remove the offence “preparing to freedom camp” because it is impossible to ascertain what someone is intending to do later in the day. “Day-trip excursions,” which are explicitly allowed in the law, are identical in appearance to “preparing to freedom camp.” Parking in order to shop is also explicitly allowed, but it is identical in appearance to preparing to freedom camp, since “parking with the intention…” is the legal measure of an offence, and intentions are not visible, but parking is. Differentiate between NZ citizens and tourists. Citizens should have rights to access their own country, whether tourists do or not. Ensure tourists who exit NZ pay any fines they incurred while here. Require education about self-containment and appropriate behaviour to be delivered by businesses that provide campervans to travellers. Make the delivery of offence notices fair. Currently, the mere fact a council employee presses the send button in their email programme is sufficient to make a notice ‘served’. Electronic delivery has many obvious problems. You can’t respond to an alleged offence if you don’t receive the notice. The current law is not fair. Remove the revision to the definition of homelessness. This seems to have been intended to stop people who live in their vehicles being treated as ‘homeless’ when parked in freedom camping areas. NZ is short so many thousands of houses, anyone who can manage in a vehicle deserves to avoid legal arguments about whether they are homeless or not. The homeless person is forced into a legal battle with the council to add to their other woes. People can be or become homeless while living in a motorhome or bus. Physical and health challenges can reduce their capacity to manage the physical work required. As they search for accommodation or sit on waiting lists for housing, they are homeless, even though they still live in their tent, car, van, bus or motorhome. The law is vague: are you ‘unable’ to stay in this campground/motel/boarding house/hotel? What does ‘unable’ mean? • A motel or camping ground is too far away? What is ‘too far’? • Not enough money to pay? Is having 1 night’s worth of dollars for a campground enough?• … what about on night 2? • What if the campground is not open when they arrive in a town so they are ‘unable’ to stay there? Ensure there are adequate facilities for travellers Many councils spent money on enforcement that could have been spent providing facilities so no enforcement was necessary. Turn this around. Ensure there are enough public toilets in enough places to meet the needs of all the travelling public. It’s people in cars (who don’t carry a toilet) who are getting caught short, not those with portable and accessible toilets on board. More on Freedom camping and self-containment: The freedom camping law needs to change Self-containment certification: which one is yours? What to do? Upgrade? Wait? Editorial — Caught in the middle Who is advocating for NZers who camp? There’s no need to rush this summer NZ’s independent national network for certification Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 2